'Days of Our Lives' Renewed at NBC

NBC

The long-running soap will return for season 52.

NBC isn't done with Days of Our Lives just yet.

The network has renewed the long-running soap opera for a 52nd season. Days of our Lives, which is set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem,recentlyaired its 13,000th episode in January. The renewal news comes after speculation that the network may cancel the drama to open up the time slot for Megyn Kelly's new daytime show.

The soap, which first premiered as a half-hour drama in 1965 and expanded to an hour 10 years later, is produced by Corday Productions Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday serves as an executive producer with co-executive producers Greg Meng and Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

"We feel so privileged to be able to continue the remarkable legacy of Days of our Lives,” said Jennifer Salke, president of NBC Entertainment. "We thank Ken Corday and his team for their incredible accomplishments and look forward to all the stories from Salem that will continue to unfold."

Added Corday: "It’s a great day in Salem! We’re pleased to announce that after more than 51 years in the hearts and homes of our amazing fans, Days of Our Lives will continue to be part of the NBC family. We are grateful to our incredible network and longstanding partner Sony for their continued support, and we look forward to what the future will bring under the new creative direction of the show. I’m especially proud to be able to shepherd Days into the new season, continuing my parents dream and the show’s legacy."

"Days of our Lives’ has a legacy of rich storytelling that has traveled across generations. Ken Corday and the cast and crew continue to deliver dynamic storylines and unforgettable performances, and we are proud to continue to bring this award-winning series to audiences both in the U.S. and around the world," said Steve Kent, senior executive vp programming at Sony Pictures Television.